CONCORD — Brooke de Gorter, a Cannon School sixth-grader from Cornelius, believes that giving to others is the best birthday gift of all.
So, she decided that instead of asking for presents she would turn her 12th birthday into an opportunity to help local animals in need.
In lieu of gifts, de Gorter’s family and friends raised $540, which she donated to the Cornelius Animal Shelter in support of its animal welfare and adoption programs. The shelter has used her gift to buy food and supplies for animals.
“Helping animals is my primary goal,” said de Gorter. “There are so many wonderful, loving animals that would make wonderful pets. We need to find great homes for these friends.”
De Gorter also volunteers to help clean and maintain the facility and gives sheltered animals loving attention.
“I hope that others will find a way to help the shelter by providing time and money, but most importantly by finding a great family to adopt a loving pet,” she said.
Cannon School is an independent junior kindergarten through 12th grade college-preparatory institution.